Hey guys,
I'm thinking bout taking my '96 I30 on a 2k mi roadtrip from MN to CA. It currently has 175k mi, new starter, alternator, tires, and a rebuilt tranny from about 50k mi ago. Which sort of things should I get checked out before embarking on this trip and what are some common problems that could arise with this car on such a far trip?
Obviously I'll get fluids changed and belts checked, but anything else I should be aware of?
Thanks,
Anton
I'm thinking bout taking my '96 I30 on a 2k mi roadtrip from MN to CA. It currently has 175k mi, new starter, alternator, tires, and a rebuilt tranny from about 50k mi ago. Which sort of things should I get checked out before embarking on this trip and what are some common problems that could arise with this car on such a far trip?
Obviously I'll get fluids changed and belts checked, but anything else I should be aware of?
Thanks,
Anton
Senior Member
Yeah, I got a few things you should look at:
1. Check your spare - make sure it fits your car (I ran into this on a previous Nissan that had 'big brakes' - spare didn't fit) so take a tire off and see if it fits on the front.
2. Check your lights - (though you should do this at least weekly) some of the states your traveling through will get a bug up their rear if you lights don't work, (all of them)
3. Check your wheel bearings, ball joints, end links, and sway bars/links
Ok, some things you should carry with you... for those OMG situations (I've had a couple on my various road trips)
1. Small first aid kit (the $5 drug store type - basic bandages and such in there)
2. 1 gallon of water (you can use it for wiper fluid - or just carry some wiper fluid - bugs are a road trip issue, and you'll hate having to pull over to clean your windshield at a gas station if you run out of fluid (you'll use your spray/washer more than you realize)
3. Snack and drinks. (always a good thing for road trips)
I've traveled from Texas to California 2x and from Texas to Florida 1 time, I used to run South Carolina to Florida and back once a month when I live in South Carolina...
1. Check your spare - make sure it fits your car (I ran into this on a previous Nissan that had 'big brakes' - spare didn't fit) so take a tire off and see if it fits on the front.
2. Check your lights - (though you should do this at least weekly) some of the states your traveling through will get a bug up their rear if you lights don't work, (all of them)
3. Check your wheel bearings, ball joints, end links, and sway bars/links
Ok, some things you should carry with you... for those OMG situations (I've had a couple on my various road trips)
1. Small first aid kit (the $5 drug store type - basic bandages and such in there)
2. 1 gallon of water (you can use it for wiper fluid - or just carry some wiper fluid - bugs are a road trip issue, and you'll hate having to pull over to clean your windshield at a gas station if you run out of fluid (you'll use your spray/washer more than you realize)
3. Snack and drinks. (always a good thing for road trips)
I've traveled from Texas to California 2x and from Texas to Florida 1 time, I used to run South Carolina to Florida and back once a month when I live in South Carolina...
Donating i30 Owner
TAKE A FEW TOOLS WITH YOU.. a small kit should be okay for something minor... but inflated spare is KEY... and take some of that filler foam.. cause your spare can blow out too....
Senior Member
Quote:
Good one - I never think to tell people to carry some tools - but then again I don't drive the car for the first time without them in the car... (it's a small box of tools, but I can fix just about anything on the side of the road with them).Originally Posted by HomerMAC
TAKE A FEW TOOLS WITH YOU.. a small kit should be okay for something minor... but inflated spare is KEY... and take some of that filler foam.. cause your spare can blow out too....